Others have been targeted by stone throwing French fishermen who were last night accused of ''piracy'' as tensions increased.

The British trawler was reportedly petrol bombed by rival French fishermen

The trawler appears to be on a fire after flares were reportedly thrown

A tiny fishing boat was nearly crushed between two larger ones during the war over scallops

It was nearly crushed in the assault

Footage obtained by The Sun shows the 90ft Honeybourne III ramming into a rival trawler as it cuts in front and stop if from fishing legitimately for scallops.

The incident took place early yesterday and involved five heroic Brit vessels being outnumbered by 40 French vessels in the Bay of Seine just off the Normandy coast with

The Honeybourne III is based in Shoreham, West Sussex, and owned by Aberdeen based MacDuff Fisheries and regularly operates in the Channel.

According to French media, fishing vessels had set off from Trouville-sur-Mer, Port-en-Bessin and Ouistreham to confront the English.

French boats only have the right to fish for scallops from October 1 until May 15 to allow local stocks to regenerate but the British do not face the same restrictions.

Last night Jim Portus of the South West Fish Producers Organisation, which handles the Honeybourne III told The Sun:''What happened was the equivalent of piracy from the French.

"They decided to dangerously take matters into their own hands. Forty of their boats surrounded just five of ours and the French broke all maritime regulations.

The tiny boat was left battling to stay upright

"The skipper of the Honeybourne was forced to carry out defensive action in the face of determined French aggression. This all boils down to the French not wanting us there but we have every right.

"They have tried to block our access to the international waters where we are legitimately entitled to fish for scallops. We have tried talking to the French but they didn't want to deal with us.

"This has nothing to do with Brexit. It is just the French being intransigent. This has been going on for 20 years now and we are perfectly entitled to fish in that area as are the Irish and Belgians.

"There was no legitimate reasons for the violent action of the French trawlers, we have done nothing illegal. It's the fault of the French for not coming to the table so we can talk about it.

French fishermen have clashed with their British counterparts who are apparently nabbing all the scallops before they get a chance

"They want us outside the area but we are perfectly entitled to be there so we suggested talks they refused and instead resorted to piracy. The Honeybourne and other vessels involved simply took defensive action in the face of French aggression."